Entertaining the relatives

And so, in this time of the Global Financial Crisis, Australians have flocked, in fact more rightly swarmed, to typical holiday destinations of our country’s past. Up and down the coast caravan parks and camping grounds are groaning under the weight of visitor numbers. Newspapers are full of happy snaps of kids in ‘rashies’ frolicking in the sun whilst adults watch on benignly from the shade of the awnings. (Of course what they don’t take photos of is the effect on some visitors toes from one too many thongless visits to the communal showers.) Australia is suddenly cool (and cheap).

Dubbo may or may not also be under this financial spell. Things seem busier, Macquarie Street comes to a complete halt more frequently, and there is a longer wait for coffee at the bakery. This might just be the people of Dubbo trying to fill in time during these seemingly endless summer holidays – I have no idea – but I’m going to assume that many people are hosting relatives, friends, and slight acquaintances met at a dinner party whom you drunkenly declared ‘must come to Dubbo’.

And so, I’ve decided to provide you with some interesting facts about the WPCC’s collection that you can use to impress your visitors. Simply memorise these tasty morsels and you’ll soon be on your way to cultural and historical stardom.

Beast by Ben Quilty: This large painting currently on show as part of In-Captivity exhibition appears to be of a large Budgie. What it really is, is a young tattooed man called Beast. Now if you think of young tattooed men as hoons in utes who scream up and down your quiet street, you might consider them a nuisance, but if you think of them as colourful natives birds who add vibrancy to our harsh landscape, then you might tend to be a bit more sympathetic. Of course real budgies don’t park outside your house playing “Soulja Boy” at two in the morning, so there’s only so far you can go with that analogy. Another interesting fact is that the thickly layered paint took over two years to dry – it spent most of that time lazily propped up in the artist’s garage – probably much like the original Beast himself.

The Australian Hero: Speaking of hoons, the love of a fast colourful car goes well back in Australian history. The Australian Hero is a wagon capable of carrying 407 bags of wheat in the early 1900s, though it is now the sturdy colour of sun-bleached wood, it was once a rather fetching bright red and blue - and although not fast, having the top speed of a somewhat disinterested bullock, it was powerful, later on boasting (get ready for this one) 12 horse power! A cheap joke true, but one that guests are obliged, under international treaty, to laugh at.

The Steadman Cloth: Ethel Steadman owned a combined fruit-shop and milk bar in Talbragar Street. Those souls brave enough to venture into the back room, would find Ethel sitting at a table covered by an embroidered cloth. It was here that she would tell your fortune. It was also said that you only had to enter the store and she would have your box of fruit already at the counter, ready to be picked up (although it is possible only locals got this special treatment). In 1936 Ruby Green was murdered in Dubbo and Ethel directed the police to look in the river for her body. Noted tracker Alex Riley was despatched and promptly found the unfortunate lass. So there you are - armed with these few facts, you can amaze friends and relatives, and, if you wish, those slight acquaintances.

This post first appeared in the Daily Liberal on January 10, 2009.